Hayward, Hornets Rout Spurs

Gordon Hayward scored 41 points in just three quarters of action, leading the Charlotte Hornets in their most complete game of the season, beating the San Antonio Spurs, 131-115.

“He’s special,” Hornets coach James Borrego said. “When he’s aggressive like that, when he plays with that fearless spirit, he’s a different player. He makes us go in a lot of ways. I’m really proud of him. I’m really happy for him. He’s been waiting for a breakout game like this. It’s been brewing.”

The Hornets made it a point to start out faster than they did in their last game. Cody Martin hit a pair of 3-pointers, as part of an 11 point opening quarter. Gordon Hayward also came out on fire, hitting all four of his shots from 3-point range, as the Hornets raced to a 25-13 early lead, shooting 71% from the field and not committing a turnover in the opening six minutes. At the end of the quarter, the Hornets were shooting a blistering 68% from the field and hit ten 3-pointers. At the end of one, the Hornets led by fifteen, 46-31.

Charlotte did not start off the second quarter with as much energy and the Spurs took advantage of that. They eventually sliced the lead down to single digits. Hayward hit a couple of jump shots to put the Hornets back in control, starting a 15-3 run, giving them a 20 point lead. The Hornets scored a season-high-for-a-half 73 points, leading the Spurs by sixteen going into the locker room.

The Hornets started the third quarter flat and once again the Spurs scored a quick eight points, which forced Borrego to call a timeout. The Hornets got the momentum after the timeout, thanks in large part to Hayward. He maneuvered through the Spurs defense for a couple of winding layups and helped the Hornets build their largest lead of the game, with just a little over four minutes left in the quarter.

Charlotte surged ahead even more, as Hayward took over the game. He scored 21 points in the quarter and had 41 points total at the end of three. Hayward was 15 for 19 from the field and matched a season-high with five 3-pointers on six attempts. He played 29 minutes through the first three quarters and sat out the fourth. The Hornets led by 28 going into the fourth quarter, 110-82.

P.J. Washington had his sixth assist of the night to a cutting Martin early in the fourth quarter, for a three point play opportunity. Martin connected on the free throw, giving him 21 points, his first such game of his career. The free throw put the Hornets up by 30. The Spurs outplayed the Hornets for the rest of the quarter, to make the score more respectable, but never really were a threat to Charlotte.

Gordon Hayward scored a season-high 41 points on 15 of 19 from the field, with 5 of 6 from 3-point range, had 5 boards and 3 assists for the Hornets. Cody Martin had a career-high 21 points, with 8 rebounds and 3 assists. Miles Bridges flirted with a triple-double, with 19 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists. Jalen McDaniels had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. P.J. Washington contributed 12 points, 9 boards and 7 assists.

Bryn Forbes had a team high 25 points off the bench for the Spurs. Keldon Johnson scored 21 points. Derrick White added 18 points, 6 rebounds and 7 assists.

The Spurs travel to Utah to play Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz on Friday. The Hornets will try to keep their momentum going into Friday’s game against Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers.